Life's Lessons (Part 1): Taking Hold Of What Lasts
Life lessons
Shots. Shots. And more shots.
No, we’re not talking guns or alcohol. But when it comes to taking 5 kids to the doctor during flu season, the topic of shots isn’t any less interesting. Trust me.
The funny thing is, most of my kids had on their poker-faces heading into the appointment. Calm, cool & collected—you would have thought they were going out for a grocery store run. And to top things off, my 6-year old Nate was even laughing & poking fun at his nervous sister.
But of course, when the time came for him to get his shot, things turned a different direction. The smirk he wore in the car was now a face of terror. The laughing was replaced with crying. And in his mind, the world’s tiniest needle managed to turn into something much worse.
That’s life for you, isn’t it? It’ll surprise you. It’ll humble you. It’ll do a lot of different things, but above all else—
life will change you.
It’s easy to write off certain times in our lives, especially the ones we don’t particularly care for. To assume that a struggle, a bad situation, or even a rough season, really serve no purpose. But regardless of what you’re going through, there’s a lesson that life has for you. In Psalm 32:8 (NLT), God says the following:
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
With how many twists & turns we encounter, that can be hard to believe. Because all of us have a “this” in life. This thing that we’re sick & tired of dealing with. This thorn in our side, that if God removed, would surely make life a whole lot better. But He doesn’t. Which leaves you to wonder…
How can this possibly be the “the best pathway” for me?
What’s missing?
It can seem foolish to put blind trust into God & all the unknowns that come with that decision. But if you’ve ever chosen to undergo surgery, you know that’s exactly how the process works. You take everything you know & everything you don’t into account, and then you ultimately put your trust in the hands of the surgeon.
Like the surgeon, God reassures you that He will advise and watch over you. But unlike the surgeon, there’s no guesswork with God. He won’t give you His best opinion—
He will give you the best Outcome.
“Are you tired? Worn out?…Come to me. I’ll show you how to take a real rest…Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
What do we do when we know something’s not right in our life? When things are out of sync, out of rhythm on a deeper level. We go to the Great Physician. We accept Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for help. We may know when something’s missing in life, but only God knows what is missing.
It’s time to ask God, “what’s missing”?
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to seek answers to that question. As we do, I believe there are 4 specific things that God wants us to better understand:
1) He [God] is unquestionably still in control.
2) He desires for you to experience a life of unending gratitude.
3) There’s good to be found amidst all that’s not.
4) He longs to connect with you on an even deeper level.
God is faithful to reveal Himself to those that genuinely seek Him. He knows what you need. So as you bring those needs to Him, expect Him to show up. Expect Him to meet your needs—
As only he can do.
That Which lasts
“Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God to make him happy.” C.S. Lewis | Mere Christianity
In light of trying to find “what’s missing” in your life, you may find that God Himself is the one thing that’s truly missing. And that one thing, is everything. We’re eternally made people who continue to settle for temporary things. Things that don’t last. That don’t quench our soul.
God only knows the depth of our very real need. It’s an everlasting need. Which is why He offers us everlasting life through Jesus Christ. God’s not extending a temporary fix, He’s promising you a permanent solution. Everything else worth finding in life is ultimately found in Him. The right people, the right this or right that. Even finding yourself.
When you open your heart to God, He takes hold of you. The missing link is no longer missing. Because you’ve finally taken hold of something greater than this world has to offer. You’ve taken hold of—
That which lasts.
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today’s Takeaways
life will change you.
God will give you the best Outcome.
God, what’s missing in my life?